foo $x,$y,$z means foo($x,$y,$z) For functions, bar $x,$y,$z doesn't mean bar($x,$y,$z) it depends on the prototype. print $x,$y,$z means print($x,$y,$z) For named operators, chr $x,$y,$z doesn't mean chr($x,$y,$z) it depends on the prototype. not $x+$y+$z means not($x+$y+$z) For other operators, ! $x+$y+$z doesn't mean !($x,$y,$z) it depends on the precedence.